From smart glasses to anti-drone units: Inside Delhi’s Republic Day security grid

Earlier this week, the New Delhi District Police rolled out comprehensive security and facilitation arrangements for the 77th Republic Day celebrations scheduled to be held at Kartavya Path on January 26.

• Delhi Police boosts Republic Day security with AI glasses and facial recognition.
• Multiple checkpoints, anti-drone units, and snipers deployed for parade safety
• Hotels and guest houses undergo verification to prevent security threats

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Security arrangements across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) have been significantly intensified ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, with police and security forces stepping up patrolling, vehicle checks and surveillance at key locations and border points.

Police personnel have set up multiple checkpoints at entry and exit points of the national capital to closely monitor the movement of people and goods entering the city as part of heightened security measures.

In a major technological upgrade, the Delhi Police will deploy AI-enabled smart glasses and advanced facial recognition systems for the first time during the Republic Day parade, aimed at strengthening surveillance and improving real-time threat detection ahead of Republic Day 2026.

Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahala said the force is increasingly relying on technology-driven solutions to enhance security preparedness. “The force is making full use of technology-driven solutions from a security perspective,” he said.

Mahala noted that all CCTV cameras will be integrated with video analytics and Facial Recognition Systems (FRS), allowing police to identify suspects with greater precision. “There are various types of video analytics, and we will utilise them as well. This time, we are also using specially developed cameras and wearable glasses,” he added.

According to police officials, selected personnel will be equipped with smart glasses while deployed along the Republic Day parade route to monitor crowds and detect potential threats. This will mark the first-ever use of such wearable technology by Delhi Police during the Republic Day celebrations.

Earlier this week, the New Delhi District Police rolled out comprehensive security and facilitation arrangements for the 77th Republic Day celebrations scheduled to be held at Kartavya Path on January 26.

Additional Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, Devesh Mahla said a robust, multi-layered security cordon comprising Delhi Police and paramilitary forces has been deployed across the district to ensure a safe and incident-free event.

“The entire Kartavya Path area is under round-the-clock surveillance through an extensive network of CCTV cameras integrated with advanced Facial Recognition System technology,” he said.

Specialised anti-drone units and sniper teams have also been stationed on high-rise buildings to monitor airspace activity and keep close watch over surrounding areas.

As part of preventive security measures, the New Delhi District Police is conducting extensive verification drives of hotels, guest houses, tenants and domestic help across the district to neutralise any potential security threats, officials said.